PC MPP says province hid report on wind turbine health effects

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A Progressive Conservative MPP is accusing the province of knowing about the adverse health effects of wind turbines as far back as 2009.

Through documents she obtained via a freedom of information request, Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson says she’s learned of one homeowner who complained about excessive noise from nearby turbines making it difficult for them to sleep.

The homeowner registered 11 complaints with the Ministry of the Environment.

“It is 1 a.m. I can’t take much more of this. I don’t know what is going on but I have the worst headache in the world right now,” reads one of them.

The ministry eventually closed the file, saying it couldn’t verify claims of excessive noise.

Another document shows that the ministry backed down from a turbine company after the company agreed to reduce overnight operations of 24 turbines due to complaints from neighbours.

Heather Johnston lives in Belwood, northeast of Fergus. She agrees with Thompson that wind turbines present health concerns and the Liberals hid reports saying so from the public.

“If you don't sleep, you’re not well, and they just don’t seem to care about the people that have to live near these things,” Johnston tells CTV.

“The [ministry] is being guided on how they go through these processes, and to tell you the truth, I’m a little dismayed that the ombudsman’s office hasn't done anything about this.”

Four new 500-foot-high turbines are slated to be built in Belwood in the near future. Another project comprised of 30 turbines has been taken off the table, but Johnston says she believes it’s only a temporary stop and the 30 turbines will be built eventually.

Environment Minister Jim Bradley didn’t respond to a request for comment from CTV, but a ministry statement says priority is placed on ensuring turbines are built in a way that protects human health and the environment.

Thompson says she wants more answers out of Bradley, but can’t get them while the legislature remains prorogued.

Photos

Wind turbines are shown at the opening of a 44-turbine wind farm near Port Alma, Ont., on Thursday, November 13, 2008.

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